Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
James P. Bradley seeks to finish second in California Senate primary
James P. Bradley is a Coast Guard veteran, an MBA holder and chief financial officer at a heath care startup, but he's just been thrust into his biggest role yet — the GOP's best hope of vying for a Senate seat in deep-blue California. Published June 3, 2018
Dianne Feinstein up big in Senate primary in California: Poll
Incumbent Dianne Feinstein holds a big lead ahead of Tuesday's Senate primary race in California, according to a poll Friday that says a little-known Republican challenger is "within striking distance" of state Senate leader Kevin de Leon, the favorite for the coveted No. 2 slot. Published June 1, 2018
Kevin de Leon challenging Capitol Hill veteran Dianne Feinstein in California primary
Kevin de Leon says he's fine with a second-place finish in Tuesday's primary for California's U.S. Senate seat. Published May 31, 2018
Virginia steps closer to expanding Medicaid as state Senate OK’s $115B budget
The Virginia Senate voted to accept Obamacare money to expand the state's Medicaid program, and the state House was aiming for passage later Wednesday, looking to end an eight-year GOP blockade and deliver a major win to Gov. Ralph Northam and Democrats. Published May 30, 2018
Trump gives terminally ill access to experimental drugs with ‘Right to Try’ law
President Trump signed a law Wednesday that gives terminally ill patients the right to try experimental medicines that lack full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Published May 30, 2018
Ralph Northam, Virginia governor: ‘Put the excuses aside’ on Medicaid
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday it is time for Richmond lawmakers to "put the excuses aside" and pass a budget that expands health coverage to 400,000 low-income residents under Obamacare. Published May 30, 2018
GAO: VA has room to improve in opioid treatment
The Veterans Affairs Department is doing a good job of slashing the use of opioids among veterans but is falling short on safety measures, such as checking whether patients have been prescribed addictive pills elsewhere, a government watchdog reported Tuesday. Published May 29, 2018
WHO claims success in Ebola vaccination effort in Congo
The World Health Organization on Tuesday said 400 people have been vaccinated against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and there hasn't been an explosion of cases, making officials "cautiously optimistic" about the arc of the outbreak. Published May 29, 2018
CDC officials take precautions as Ebola outbreak spreads
With Ebola once again flaring up in an African country, U.S. health officials have briefed border officers about potential danger from travelers, and U.S. airports are beginning to issue warnings about the deadly disease. Published May 28, 2018
American Medical Assoc. slams Trump’s Title X proposal
The nation's top doctors' lobby condemned President Trump's push to create a firewall between federal funds for family planning and abortion services, saying Thursday it amounts to a "gag order" that will intrude on the doctor-patient relationship. Published May 24, 2018
House panel advances GOP welfare-reform bill
The House Ways and Means Committee approved Thursday a massive overhaul of the country's welfare system that would push more people on the public dole to look for work, hoping to wean them off benefits altogether. Published May 24, 2018
GOP welfare reform on track in House
Republicans rejected Democrats' efforts Wednesday to increase money for job training or child care for those on welfare, keeping their massive reform bill on track for approval in a key committee. Published May 23, 2018
WHO alerts African border countries to defend against Ebola
The World Health Organization said Wednesday it is working with nine countries that neighbor the Democratic Republic of Congo to prevent the spread of an Ebola outbreak that's been tied to dozens of deaths. Published May 23, 2018
House passes ‘Right to Try’ bill for dying patients
The House passed a bill Tuesday that lets dying patients try medicines that haven't won full regulatory approval, handing President Trump the bipartisan win he had demanded during his State of the Union speech this year. Published May 22, 2018
House GOP’s latest push: Get welfare recipients into jobs
House Republicans plan to advance a welfare-reform bill that requires recipients to find and retain jobs, saying too many states allow potential workers to remain idle. Published May 22, 2018
CDC: Uninsured rate holds steady one year into Trump era
The U.S. uninsured rate held steady from 2016 to 2017 despite fears that President Trump's arrival would upend Obamacare's coverage gains, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. Published May 22, 2018
HHS chief to world: U.S. to provide millions for Ebola response
The Trump administration is ready to provide up to $7 million to assist the response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday. Published May 22, 2018
Democratic Republic of Congo begins trial Ebola vaccination
The first health care workers lined up Monday to receive a trial vaccine for Ebola in Congo as world health officials play catch-up in getting promising preventive measures to market for emerging health threats. Published May 21, 2018
Trump proposes changes to Title X funding, targeting Planned Parenthood
The Trump administration proposed rules Friday that create a firewall between federal funds for family planning and abortion services, effectively targeting Planned Parenthood. Published May 18, 2018
Ebola outbreak isn’t a global emergency yet: WHO
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not considered a global health emergency -- at least not yet, the World Health Organization announced Friday, saying it is hopeful it can stamp out the widening outbreak despite fear the disease will travel along the Congo River "highway" to major capitals. Published May 18, 2018
